Over 2,000 independent aspirants back Kenyatta re-election

May 21, 2017 10:35 am

“Let the People decide. This is a historic event. History is about to repeat itself,” he stated/FILE

By LABAN WANAMBISI, NAIROBI, Kenya, May 21 – Over 2,000 independent candidates supporting the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta met on Saturday where the message was, “let the people decide.”

Led by Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and Nairobi gubernatorial candidate Peter Kenneth, the leaders asked the President and his Deputy William Ruto to only ask for their votes but allow their supporters to decide the rest of the leaders.

Kabogo, who will be facing the Jubilee Party candidate Ferdinand Waititu, said for the president to get enough votes, independent candidates should be given an equal chance.

“Let the People decide. This is a historic event. History is about to repeat itself,” he stated.

“There comes a time when nominations will never be important again in this country again.”

He urged Kenyans to ignore “propagandists” who wants to paint them as people in the Opposition.

“Don’t listen to the propagandists and liars… our focus is one, we want to make all our votes count in the support of President Uhuru Kenyatta, ” he asserted.

“Politics is about numbers and that is why due to public pressure I decided to defend my seat for a second term. Kiambu deserve a fair chance to decide their governor.”

He said they all, believe it the transformative agenda of the President.

“Leadership without God at the centre is nothing.”

Kenneth on his part expressed confidence that Kenyans will give them a chance.

“We don’t want to be told about voting for parties, let the people decide who will be their leaders come August, ” Kenneth, who will be facing two strong candidates in Nairobi said.

He reiterated that the party’s primaries were largely marred by irregularities.

Also present was Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua, who raised similar sentiments.

The leaders met under the banner of Kenya Independent Candidates Alliance.

Other than supporting the President in his re-election bid, Governor Kabogo said he will be writing petitions to the Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission (IEBC) and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to ask them to protect their constitutional rights.

He said they want a level ground for all candidates.

“Our appeal to the President and his deputy,… Let the people decide… Let Wanjiku decide..” he said.

Politics of 2022 also featured during the function.

Kabogo was approved as the chairperson of the independent candidates supporting the Uhuru-Ruto candidature while Tetu Member of Parliament Ndungu Gethenji will be their spokesperson.

LABAN WANAMBISI Laban Wanambisi is a Parliamentary and Political reporter. He joined the Capital Newsteam in 2005. Since then, he has reported on many of the major news events over the years including his first major assignment covering the 2005 National Referendum on the Draft Constitution, and several other subsequent key national and international events.